“The truest, deepest American strangeness is to be found in the heartland, the great Midwest. As a perfect example, take a song of Rich Krueger and you will see exactly what I mean. Rich is an American Stranger if I ever did see one.”

—Peter Stampfel, The Holy Modal Rounders & The Fugs

Rich Krueger is an interesting and generous guy who has something to tell you if you are willing to listen—something that you might or might not enjoy, something that might even trouble you, but it will never be ordinary. Krueger lives in Chicago, but was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, NYC. He has been writing and performing with his band The Dysfunctionells since 1985. The Dysfunctionells backed up the Holy Modal Rounders at their reunion at the Bottom Line in NYC, and Krueger has recorded with Peter Stampfel on his own and with the band.

Along with Krueger, the core band is drummer Vence Edmonds (The Dysfunctionells) and bassist Bill Kavanagh. Kavanagh also recorded, engineered, and mixed the record and was one of the producers. Other players on the album include pedal steel player Brian Wilkie (Allison Kraus, Robbie Fulks), and pianist Oliver Steck (Bob Schneider, Slade Cleaves, Junior Wells). Others involved in producing with Krueger were Paul Kotheimer, and Jay O’Rourke (Robbie Fulks, Warren Zevon, Urge Overkill). The album was mastered by Dave McNair (Dylan, Bowie, Springsteen).

Life Aint That Long is an eclectic collection of 10 songs (plus a bonus track). The record starts off with “A Stoopid Broken Heart” with fiddle and pedal steel driving the upbeat Americana song throughout. “The Gospel According To Carl” is a Randy Newmanesque song with piano, full band, horn and gospel singers. “77/17” is a punk-edged number with Krueger reminiscing about 1977. “The Wednesday Boys” is a blue-eyed soul anthem with a Van Morrison inspired groove. The closing song, “What We Are?,” is a piano and gospel propelled soul number and a humorous, but sober reflection on the paradox of hope for the future in these difficult times. There is also a bonus track, the Christmas-themed “And It’s That Time Again.”

30 plus years of making music has allowed Krueger to grow his fan base and artistry, culminating earlier this year when he was chosen as a Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Finalist. After 30 plus years of making music it’s nice to know that Rich Krueger still has something to say.